In the ongoing search for Saturday’s mass shooting suspect, police found physical and DNA evidence, Mayor Brett Smiley and Providence authorities shared at a 4:05 p.m. press conference. Law enforcement also mapped a detailed path of the shooter before and after the incident.
The shooter’s motive remains unknown, according to Providence Chief of Police Oscar Perez. Law enforcement also does not know if the shooter is affiliated to Brown.
At the conference, Perez shared a map that shows an area of focus where law enforcement has been “intensively walking.”
On the map, law enforcement tracked the possible route of the person of interest before and after the shooting, based off of video footage they analyzed. The routes before and after the shooting show the person of interest within a few blocks of Barus and Holley, the building where the shooting occurred.
The PPD is requesting any additional available footage from the broader area of focus, which is bordered by Thayer Street, Gano Street, Waterman Street and Wickenden Street.
The perimeter of focus in the map has “moved south” from previous perimeters, Perez said, as authorities have been “following” the shooter’s path as they obtain additional information. The original perimeter only extended to Charlesfield Street, around half a mile north of the current perimeter.
“The last place we saw him was right at Ives (Street) near Pitman (Street),” Perez said. The person of interest was first seen on local camera footage at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the shooting, he added.
Perez urged the public not to rely on AI-generated images “that are currently being shared on social media.” He noted that updates will be “provided exclusively” through official channels.
Perez also shared previously released enhanced images of an individual wearing a dark-colored jacket over a light-colored hoodie, carrying a white bag. Authorities believe the individual was in the same vicinity as the subject of interest.
In response to a press question, Smiley acknowledged that the business districts of Providence have received less business following the attack. He added that the Providence Economic Development Department and Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce have been “reaching out to those business owners to look at assistance programs,” Smiley added.
Smiley added that police officers “in every corner of Rhode Island” are assisting in securing the city.
“We can’t lock down the city indefinitely,” he said. “We are doing everything we can.”
Michelle Bi is a metro editor covering City Hall & Crime and State Politics & Justice. She is a sophomore from Oak Park, CA and studies English and IAPA. In her free time, you can find her playing guitar, the LA Times crossword or one of her 115 Spotify playlists.
Alejandro Ruiz is a university news senior staff writer covering academics and advising. He is a junior from Edison, NJ studying biochemistry and philosophy. In his free time, he can be found with his friends or with an AirPod in.
